In brief: Penn Hills and Verona area happenings, week of Oct. 21, 2024
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Community welcome to block party Oct. 26
The Hebron Community Center is hosting a Community Block Party in conjunction with the Penn Hills Partnership from 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 26 at the center, 10460 Frankstown Road.
The event will feature a chili cook-off, a glow-in-the-dark free-throw basketball challenge and the opportunity to play 3-on-3 basketball. There will be food, games, music, prizes and a 50-50 raffle.
Many community organizations that serve the municipality also will be set up.
Only the first 12 cooks to sign up, as determined by online registration, will be able to participate in the chili cook-off. Participants should bring their chili in a crockpot with a minimum of 12 servings.
Up to 10 3-on-3 basketball teams will be accepted. Age categories and a schedule will be based on the registered participants. Teams can have mixed ages, but the category will be based on the age of the oldest player on the team.
To register as an attendee or contest participant, visit Hebron Community Center on Facebook and click on the event’s registration link or fill out the form at https://tinyurl.com/mvzensch.
For details about the center, a nondenominational and faith-based nonprofit, visit hebroncc.org.
Donors sought for raffle benefiting district’s arts programming
The Steel Goat Marketplace, 200 Jefferson Road, is hosting a fundraiser in November to directly benefit the music, art and theater programs of the Penn Hills School District.
A portion of weekend sales throughout the month will be donated. There also will a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses and vendors.
Businesses and vendors are welcome to participate by donating a product or service. All donors will be acknowledged.
To donate or learn more about how you can contribute, visit steelgoatmarket.com or call 412-241-0411.
Tickets available for garden club’s Bluegrass Brunch
The Penn Hebron Garden Club is hosting a Bluegrass Brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 3.
Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door, if available.
Doors will open at 10:30 a.m.
Tickets includes a brunch and music by three bluegrass bands.
There also will be a 50-50 raffle.
For details and to purchas tickets, contact Howard Davidson at bachblue@aol.com or Lisa Martinez at jkittyroo@gmail.com.
Allegheny River Boulevard preservation meeting planned
For the second time this year, the public is invited to learn about the Allegheny River Boulevard Preservation Association and consultant Landmarks SGA’s work to restore the historic corridor between Oakmont and Pittsburgh.
The event will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Steel City Rowing Club, 101 Arch St., Verona.
Participants will hear about the progress and early findings of a preservation management plan. They also will have the opportunity to ask questions about the future of this 6-mile road, which was constructed nearly 100 years ago.
Fall psychic fair to feature 55-plus vendors
Fair that offers readers, healers, holistic products, and workshops.
The fall 3 Rivers Psychic Fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Comfort Inn, 699 Rodi Road.
The event will feature more than 55 vendors and a variety of workshops, including ones on manifesting, authenticity and telepathy.
Offerings include psychic, tarot, intuitive and medium readings; Reiki and energy healers; and holistic products.
The fair aims to connect, heal and educate. It offers an opportunity for attendees to expand their minds, learn about their bodies and kindle their inner flames.
Admission is $5, cash or credit card, and can be paid at the door. To purchase tickets in advance, visit https://sowl.co/HxcGj. Online tickets include a 30-cent processing fee.
There also will be a 50-50. Tickets for that raffle are three for $5, eight for $10 and 13 for $15.
Attendees who bring two nonperishable food items will be entered into a drawing for a gift basket.
For details, visit www.3riverspf.com or contact organizer Kitsy Higgins at 412-422-8447 or via email at kitsyc@hotmail.com.
To view a list of readers and vendors, visit 3 Rivers Psychic Fair on Facebook.
Bingo Fridays in October to benefit Rosedale firefighters
The Rosedale Civic Association is organizing bingo from 7 to 9 p.m. every Friday in October at the Verona Eagles Aerie 1634, 315 James St.
Regular game cards are 25 cents each and specials are 50 cents each. There also will be a 50-50 and basket raffles.
Proceeds will be used to purchase personal protective equipment for the firefighters at the Rosedale Volunteer Fire Department.
GO! members gathering items for Christmas shoeboxes
Members of the GO! Group from Riverside Community Church in Oakmont are collecting items through Oct. 25 for Operation Christmas Child.
Operation Christmas Child is a project by Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief organization that collects and delivers shoeboxes filled with gifts to children in need.
GO! members plan to assemble 60 boxes for boys and girls ages 5 to 9 who are living in impoverished or war-torn regions around the world.
To help, visit the Amazon link https://a.co/dmdrcxe and purchase the preselected items. At checkout, have the items shipped to Riverside parishioner Cherie River at 3209 Waterford Court, Pittsburgh, PA 15238.
The preselected items on the list are requested to make the packing process seamless.
On Oct. 26, GO! members will take 30 empty boxes to Seneca Manor in Penn Hills so the senior citizens who reside there can fill them.
The remaining boxes will be packed by GO! members in November, and all of them will be delivered to an Operation Christmas Child donation center.
Leaf and yard waste collections set
The Penn Hills Department of Public Works released a schedule for its fall leaf and yard waste composting program.
Crews will collect paper leaf bags on Oct. 28 and Nov. 4, 12, 18 and 25. All of the dates are Mondays except the Nov. 12 collection, which is being held on a Tuesday because of the Veterans Day holiday.
Bag requirements: All paper leaf bags should be placed curbside Sunday evening. Any leaf or yard waste not in an approved bag will not be picked up. Bags must weigh less than 30 pounds. Do not use staples or tape to close the bags, but fold over the tops to prevent leaves from spilling.
Also, do not rake leaves to the curb, in keeping with ordinance No. 2012-2548.
Acceptable material includes leaves, garden residue such as flowers and plants with no roots attached, and trimmings from shrubs and trees with a half-inch or smaller diameter.
The following material will not be accepted: bags over 30 pounds, ground-up leaves, grass, dirt, stones, roots, tape or plastic bags and other types of paper bags, boxes or containers.
Residents also can drop off their bags at the municipal compost site by appointment through the Public Works department. A minimum 24-hour notice is required. To make an appointment, call 412-798-2151.
For additional details about the annual fall collection, visit penhillspa.gov.
Meetings slated for October
Here are the remaining Penn Hills School Board and Penn Hill municipal meetings for October:
SCHOOL BOARD
• Penn Hills School Board, regular public voting meeting: 6 p.m. Oct. 30, media center at Linton Middle School, 260 Aster St. To view voting meeting agendas and livestreams of meetings, visit Penn Hills School District online at phsd.org and click on the School Board tab.
MUNICIPALITY
• Penn Hills Council: 7 p.m. Oct. 21
• Penn Hills Zoning Hearing Board: 7 p.m. Oct. 23
• Penn Hills Planning Commission: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24
• Penn Hills Library Board: 7 p.m. Oct. 30
To check for cancellations, agendas or other changes to the municipal meeting schedule, scroll down to the bulletin board section of Penn Hills’ homepage at pennhillspa.gov or sign up for Savvy Citizen alerts.
To sign up for Savvy Citizen alerts, visit savvycitizenapp.com/signup or download the app on your mobile phone.
Fall/winter activities planned for children
Penn Hills Parks & Recreation recently posted its fall and winter schedule.
Space is limited for the following events, and registration is required.
All events take place at Rolling Hills Church, 120 Gernert Drive.
• Kids Painting and Craft: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16, Nov. 13 and Dec. 11
• Kids in the Kitchen: 10 to 11 a.m. Oct. 19, Nov. 16 and Dec. 14
• Family Trivia Day: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 9. Trivia buffs are welcome to gather for an afternoon of family-themed trivia. There will be prizes for first-, second- and third-place teams. A pizza lunch will be provided.
To register, call the recreation department at 412-798-2147.
Holiday cheer already in works
Penn Hills Parks & Recreation is planning a variety of holiday events for the community:
• Holiday Lights Cruise: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Penn Hills Government Center, 102 Duff Road. There will be a drive-thru lights display and a visit from Santa. Treat bags will be provided, but registration is required. To register, call 412-798-2147. Attendees are encouraged to bring an unopened and unwrapped toy donation for a chance to win a $100 gift card.
• Letters to Santa: Drop off your letters Dec. 1-19 at Penn Hills Library. You also can mail them to 102 Duff Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15235 or email them to santa@pennhillspa.gov. Please include a return address.
• Lunch With Santa, two sessions: 11 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at Rolling Hills Church, 120 Gernert Drive. Join us for a visit from Santa, arts and crafts and a pizza lunch. Space is limited. To register, call 412-798-2147.
• Christmas Lights Display Contest: To enter your home, call 412-798-2147 or email jscaglione@pennhillspa.gov. Judging will take place Dec. 17-19. Prizes will be awarded for the best decorated home.
Verona Historical Society program slated
The Verona Historical Society will host a program dubbed “The Encampment at Valley Forge, 1777-1778” on Nov. 21.
The presentation from Ken Cherry will discuss a pivotal time in U.S. history.
For details about the historical society’s programs or membership, visit veronahistory.org.
Blood donors sought for fall drive
The American Red Cross is encouraging donors of all blood types and platelets, especially those who have never donated before, to consider doing so for the month of October.
According to the Red Cross, only three out of 100 Americans donate blood. Donations are critical to keep the blood supply stable during the fall months.
Donations of all blood types — particularly those with type O, the most transfused type — are needed.
Anyone who donates through Oct. 31 will receive a $10 Amazon gift card by email and will be automatically entered for a chance to win one of three $5,000 gift cards. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Treat.
To make an appointment, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).
Prospective donors also can enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or to seek more information.
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 and older in most states, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.
Calling all ghouls and boos: Sign up for costume parade
The Penn Hills Parks & Recreation is planning a Halloween Parade in the Park from 11 a.m. to noon Oct. 26 at Penn Hills Community Park.
Families are invited to come dressed in their favorite costume. The parade will start at 11:15 a.m.
Prizes will be awarded for the scariest, cutest and most creative costumes.
Space is limited, and registration is required by Oct. 21.
To register, call 412-798-2147.
26th Holiday Craft Show set for Nov. 23
Penn Hills Parks & Recreation will present its 26th annual Holiday Craft Show from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 23 at Linton Middle School, 250 Aster St.
Admission is free.
The event will showcase more than 100 spaces of handmade arts and crafts.
There also will be door prizes, gift card raffles and concessions in the cafeteria.
For details, call the Parks & Recreation office at 412-798-2147.
Class of 1984 to gather in November
The Penn Hills High School Class of 1984 is celebrating its 40th reunion in November.
Members are invited to mark the occasion from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Comfort Inn & Suites RIDC, 180 Gamma Drive in O’Hara.
The cost is $58 per person and includes a buffet dinner and two drink tickets.
The itinerary includes cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner at 7, dancing until 11 and a karaoke afterparty from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the hotel bar.
Tickets can be purchased via Venmo at https://venmo.com/u/Kristy-McGowan-1 through Kristy (McGill) McGowan.
For attendees who prefer to stay at the hotel, a block of rooms with king-size beds have been reserved for $87 a night. The hotel offers free breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, and has an indoor heated pool that’s open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. To reserve a room, call the hotel at 412-963-0600 and ask for the Penn Hills High School 40th reunion rate.
For questions, email ph84reunion@gmail.com or visit the Penn Hills Class of 1984 Facebook page.
Assistance available for veterans, spouses
State Rep. Joe McAndrew’s office, 77 Universal Road, Suite 1, in Penn Hills provides free assistance to veterans and their spouses from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the last Wednesday of every month.
A veteran service officer from the American Legion will be on hand to help with a variety of needs, including compensation and pension claims, education benefits, enrollment in the VA health care system, burial and survivor benefits, state benefits, and obtaining military personnel and medical records.
There are limited appointments available for August. To make an appointment, call 412-793-2448.
McAndrew’s 32nd District covers Oakmont, Penn Hills, Plum and Verona.
Free clothing available
Mt. Hope Community Church, 12106 Frankstown Road, operates a free Clothesline to people in need from 10 a.m. to noon every Thursday.
Parking is available behind the church, and there is a bus stop nearby at Frankstown Road and Parkridge Drive.
Clothing for women, men and children of all ages is available, as well as some shoes and accessories.
Bags are provided, but visitors also are encouraged to bring their own.
The church also is accepting and loaning gently used children’s books.
For details, call 412-793-0227 or visit mthopepcusa.org/youth-ministries.
Station seeks firefighters, junior members
The Verona Volunteer Fire Company is accepting applictions for active firefighters as well as junior members 16 and 17 years of age.
Interested individuals can stop by the fire station, 465 Parker St., from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays.
Training is provided through the Allegheny County Fire Academy.
Verona Farmers Market sets up Thursdays
Verona’s seasonal farmers market has kicked off into full swing. Hosted every Thursday until Nov. 21, each market features a list of local vendors.
For special announcements about the market, visit the Verona Farmers Market Facebook page.
Group offers support for weight loss
All are welcome to join the men and women at Oakmont TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) who are learning how to lose weight.
With in-person meetings, rewards, support and encouragement, we gain knowledge of healthy eating and exercise.
You may visit with no obligation Tuesdays at 5:45 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1261 Pennsylvania Ave. in Oakmont. Weigh-in is private followed by a brief business meeting, sharing time, and educational program all ending by 7:15.